I decided to go Greek in college after the first visit to campus. It was a snowy day in Huntington, WV but that did not stop me from attending Green and White Day. I walked around the Memorial Student Center with my mom as she forced me to stop and talk to groups. I started to see groups with weird letters on their shirts, I had friends that had went Greek in college but those letters meant nothing to me. I talked to all four groups on campus, learned about their philanthropies, events, and about the girls who I met. I decided that evening that I wanted to be one of those girls wearing "weird" letters.
A few months later I came to orientation and once again I walked around the Memorial Student Center and seen girls wearing "weird letters." To my surprise, some of them remembered me and they gave me more information about whenever recruitment was and told me about events that were going to happen in the fall and how to sign up.
Roughly a month later was freshman move-in day. At Marshall, it is required that Greek life helps freshmen move in. I met 3 Alpha Xis, little did I know that they would be my sisters and that one would become my Big.
Sorority 101
I went to this event and listened to chapter presidents talk about their chapters and how much each chapter has helped them individually. We also learned more in-depth about the philanthropies of the chapters. I signed up for recruitment that night.
Sorority 102
I still remember how I felt: nervous yet excited. I was nervous because there were so many girls going through recruitment and because I had no idea of what to wear. They showed us outfit ideas for each of the rounds of recruitment. I sprinted back to my dorm and with their examples fresh in my head laid out my clothes for the next week.
First Round: Open House
The first night of recruitment was nerve-racking. I went to all four chapters and met some great girls. It was after this night that I knew what true sisterhood was and what made each chapter different. I started to feel like I knew where I belonged.
Round Two
This night we went back to all four chapters and eliminated one. I was so nervous to eliminate someone because I did not want to hurt anyone's feelings because there was not someone I did not like!
Round Three
This night you either got invited back to 2 or 3 houses, I got invited back to 3. Later that night we had to cut one more and give our top two. I was torn. I did not want to make the wrong decision.
Round 4: Pref Night
This night was intimidating, you got invited back to 1 or 2 houses. I got invited back to the two that I was torn between. After talking with girls I knew where I wanted to go, but my stomach was in knots because I did not want to make the wrong decision. I went with my gut feeling and put Alpha Xi Delta as my first pick.
The Best Day: Bid Day!
Everyone huddled in in Be5 sat in anticipation. We learned the chapters of our recruitment counselors and PHC executives then were called 1 by 1 to receive our bid. I walked into the room and was terrified. I got a bid from Alpha Xi Delta and was so excited. We waited until we all got sorted and ran to meet all of our sisters. We walked into Alpha Xi and heard all of the actives yelling and singing because they were so ready to meet us. It was amazing to feel that close to people that I did not even know all of their names yet. Alpha Xi Delta became my home because of our philanthropy, Autism Speaks. Alpha Xi Delta became my home because I liked how all the girls were different and that they were not afraid to be themselves. Alpha Xi Delta felt like home, I felt safe. I went Alpha Xi because they felt like mentors, friends, and family all in one day. I went Alpha Xi because I wanted to realize my potential.
I decided to go Greek for service, friendship, and leadership.
